I mentioned last month that the NBA Cup is the last time teams can really play for something without the distraction of the expanded trade market. Of course, the NBA Cup semifinal round was disrupted with the news of real trades happening, as the Indiana Pacers acquired center Thomas Bryant from the Miami Heat and the Golden State Warriors landed point guard Dennis Schröder from the Brooklyn Nets.
So now that we are concluding the NBA Cup phase of the season, it’s only right to finally acknowledge Team Photoshop season, better known as the race to the Feb. 6 trade deadline. Prepare for seven weeks of gossip!
GO DEEPER
NBA Trade Board: Jimmy Butler, Cam Johnson and the top 30 names on the market
I will not treat every one of these weeks as if trades should be the big story. A lot of teams won’t make trades. And games will be played every day between now and the trade deadline except for Wednesday and Christmas Eve. Enjoy the games! But I will whet appetites and include a player to watch on every team whom a team could make available for one reason or another. Let’s call this an initial step toward due diligence, and that is something every NBA team will do.
A reminder: These Power Rankings won’t just rank every team. We will retain the tiers that teams will be promoted into and relegated out of. There will be five tiers every week:
- Top Contenders – Locked at five, these are the class of the league
- In a Good Place – Could be one team, could be seven teams
- The Bubble – Not to be confused with Walt Disney World. The middle of the pack
- Not the Tier to Fear – Not playing the worst ball in the league, but with a lot of work to do
- Basement Floor – Bringing up the rear
With all that said, let’s get into Week 8 of The Athletic’s NBA Power Rankings. Win/loss records are through Monday’s games; statistics are through Sunday.
Tier 1: Top Contenders
1. Cleveland Cavaliers (23-4)
Last ranking: 1
In the last week: W vs. WAS, W at BRK
Offensive rating: 120.6 (first)
Defensive rating: 110.3 (ninth)
Trade Winds: SF Max Strus
The Cavaliers have the NBA’s best record, best offense and a top-10 defense with Strus still not back yet from a sprained ankle. Strus’ contract goes through 2027, while top reserve Caris LeVert is shooting lights out in a contract year. Having another wing who can shoot and is willing to defend should only help the Cavaliers, so I expect Cleveland to hold on to Strus and others. But it will be interesting to see Kenny Atkinson’s rotations upon Strus’ return.
The story of the greatest players in NBA history. In 100 riveting profiles, top basketball writers justify their selections and uncover the history of the NBA in the process.
The story of the greatest plays in NBA history.
Buy
2. Boston Celtics (21-5)
Last ranking: 2
In the last week: W vs. DET, W at WAS
Offensive rating: 119.9 (second)
Defensive rating: 109.7 (eighth)
Trade Winds: SG Jaden Springer
The Celtics retained their entire rotation from last postseason. But at last season’s deadline, the Celtics sent out two second-round picks to acquire Xavier Tillman Sr. and another second-round pick to get Springer. Tillman is insurance for Al Horford and Kristaps Porziņģis, as we saw in the playoffs last year. Springer has yet to play 10 minutes in a game for the Celtics this season. Perhaps he would be needed if something were to happen to Jrue Holiday, Derrick White or Payton Pritchard, but he could be available if the Celtics wanted to get a wing on the roster.
GO DEEPER
Each team’s biggest need with NBA trade season on the horizon
3. Oklahoma City Thunder (20-5)
Last ranking: 3
In the last week: W vs. DAL, W vs. HOU
Offensive rating: 115.2 (eighth)
Defensive rating: 103.1 (first)
Trade Winds: PF Ousmane Dieng
I don’t look at the Thunder as a team that needs to make a trade, but they obviously have a surplus of draft assets to shop. Oklahoma City would be selling low on Dieng, a rare tall person on the Thunder roster as well as a lottery pick who has not come close to breaking through. Dieng has not played since Nov. 20 due to a finger fracture on his shooting hand. This is only his third season, but Josh Giddey only got three years before getting traded. Last year, 2021 first-round pick Tre Mann was traded midseason. I’d at least consider Dieng an intriguing piece of Oklahoma City’s puzzle this winter as he comes close to returning to play.
GO DEEPER
Jalen Williams’ ceiling? ‘It would be stupid’ to put one on OKC’s emerging star
4. Dallas Mavericks (17-9)
Last ranking: 4
In the last week: L at OKC, W at GS
Offensive rating: 117.6 (fourth)
Defensive rating: 111.1 (11th)
Trade Winds: PF Maxi Kleber
If you want to make an omelet, you have to break some eggs. The Mavericks have a lot of roster spots used on charity right now. Markieff Morris never plays. Dwight Powell at least has some utility as the third center whenever Dereck Lively II or Daniel Gafford is not available. This is Kleber’s eighth season with the Mavericks, but he has spent the season either being injured or ineffective as he nears his 33rd birthday. At the very least, Olivier-Maxence Prosper needs some more run to see if he can be P.J. Washington’s backup. Kleber is signed through 2026, but Dallas needs to consider an upgrade.
Luke Kennard has had a hard time getting run on a crowded Memphis roster. (Petre Thomas / Imagn Images)
5. Memphis Grizzlies (18-9)
Last ranking: 5
In the last week: W vs. BRK, L at LAL
Offensive rating: 116.3 (fifth)
Defensive rating: 108.6 (sixth)
Trade Winds: SG Luke Kennard
After not playing in nearly two weeks, Memphis coach Taylor Jenkins dusted him off while the Grizzlies were down 20 in Los Angeles on Sunday, and Kennard gave reminders of his value. Everyone knows Kennard can shoot at an elite level. But Kennard is versatile enough offensively to be a de facto point guard as long as he doesn’t have to be too ball-dominant, and that allows teams to put more wings on the floor without sacrificing too much in the decision-making department. It’s only going to get more crowded in Memphis when GG Jackson gets healthy. Kennard is a free agent in 2025, and Memphis is confident in its ability to draft for value. I bet Kennard can be had.
Tier 2: In a Good Place
6. Houston Rockets (17-9)
Last ranking: 6
In the last week: W vs. GS, L vs. OKC
Offensive rating: 111.3 (18th)
Defensive rating: 105.3 (second)
Trade Winds: C Jock Landale
The Rockets should certainly be interested in improving their rotation if they want to make a playoff push. They are benefiting from their commitment to defend, but also because they have been healthy. Whom to trade is the question. I would have put contract-year center Steven Adams here, but his availability is a question mark, and he has been valuable for his intangibles. Landale still has multiple years left on his deal, but a center isn’t what Houston needs. It needs a reliable source of offense — kind of what Reed Sheppard was drafted to be.
GO DEEPER
‘No friends on the floor’: Ime Udoka’s vision to turn Rockets into the new Bad Boys
7. New York Knicks (16-10)
Last ranking: 7
In the last week: L vs. ATL, W at ORL
Offensive rating: 119.7 (third)
Defensive rating: 113.1 (16th)
Trade Winds: PF Precious Achiuwa
Achiuwa signed a contract that doesn’t make him trade-eligible until January. But that’s also when the Knicks can expect Mitchell Robinson to return. Putting Achiuwa and Robinson on the floor together would be malpractice, so Achiuwa should be expendable with the Knicks needing another playable wing, preferably with more skill than what Achiuwa presents.
8. Minnesota Timberwolves (14-11)
Last ranking: 10
In the last week: W vs. LAL, W at SA
Offensive rating: 111.0 (19th)
Defensive rating: 106.8 (fourth)
Trade Winds: SF Joe Ingles
I am fascinated by Thursday’s Knicks game at Minnesota. Karl-Anthony Towns coming back to Target Center will certainly be an event after he spent his first nine seasons there, as well as Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo facing their former teammates. For different reasons, the Knicks and Timberwolves are two of the shallower teams in the league. The drop-off from Minnesota’s eighth to ninth player is vast. Ingles got the first shot at those minutes to fill out the nine-man rotation to begin the season, but he has not scored in 26 minutes this season, is injured with a calf strain and is 37 years old. I doubt the Timberwolves want to move Ingles, and he’s only on a minimum contract. But Ingles has not come close to replacing Kyle Anderson.
9. Orlando Magic (17-11)
Last ranking: 9
In the last week: L at MIL, L vs. NY
Offensive rating: 110.0 (25th)
Defensive rating: 106.1 (third)
Trade Winds: SG Cole Anthony
I’m not even calling Anthony a point guard anymore. The Magic are a relatively anti-point guard team, as they start Jalen Suggs and bring Anthony Black off the bench. Their priority when healthy is to play through Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, and Anthony has been outside of the rotation at times. Right now, the Magic aren’t healthy, with Wagner newly injured and Banchero still not back from his injury, so Anthony has been used. It has been a rough season for Anthony, and he still has multiple years left on his deal, but he could be available for a team that needs a streaky second-unit ballhandler.
10. Denver Nuggets (14-10)
Last ranking: 13
In the last week: W vs. LAC, W at SAC
Offensive rating: 115.4 (seventh)
Defensive rating: 112.9 (15th)
Trade Winds: PF Dario Šarić
Denver gave Šarić a 2025 player option, and he was gone from the rotation after the second weekend of the season. He can’t really affect games vertically, as he has no blocks or dunks in 136 minutes, and his jumper is about as smooth as burlap, as he has made only 26.3 percent from 3. Šarić at least shot it better last season in Golden State, but he has not been a good fit with the Nuggets, who have one of the thinnest benches in the league.
11. Milwaukee Bucks (14-11)
Last ranking: 14
In the last week: W vs. ORL, W vs. ATL
Offensive rating: 113.6 (11th)
Defensive rating: 112.3 (13th)
Trade Winds: SG Pat Connaughton
As the Bucks continue to stabilize, they have already made one hard decision, and that is to phase 10-year veteran Connaughton out of the rotation. Entering Tuesday, Connaughton has only played in two of the past 12 games for the Bucks, with Khris Middleton returning, AJ Green emerging, Andre Jackson Jr. starting and Gary Trent Jr. settling into a bench role. Connaughton isn’t the only one, as Delon Wright hasn’t played in either of the past four games. Connaughton was part of the 2021 Bucks championship team, played with Damian Lillard in Portland and has a player option in 2025 that he will surely pick up, so those limit his chances of getting moved. But at $9.4 million this season, it will be interesting to see if the Bucks try to get a younger contributor.
GO DEEPER
‘I really believe in myself’: Why Giannis never panicked about the Bucks
Is Jonathan Kuminga part of Golden State’s future or a trade chip? (Troy Taormina / Imagn Images)
12. Golden State Warriors (14-11)
Last ranking: 8
In the last week: L at HOU, L vs. DAL
Offensive rating: 112.6 (14th)
Defensive rating: 108.6 (seventh)
Trade Winds: PF Jonathan Kuminga
The Warriors adding Schröder while trading the injured De’Anthony Melton should be looked at as if Schröder is replacing the player Melton was signed to replace this offseason, Chris Paul. But the pump-and-dump expedition seemingly continues for Kuminga, and it’s going to be quite the adventure. The Warriors were already trying to give Kuminga more touches in isolations and pick-and-rolls, something the Warriors don’t prefer to do much of, and now Schröder is here to take touches away in pick-and-rolls. At least Schröder has been playing at a consistently high level; Kuminga’s struggles as a passer and shooter make it hard to play through him. Everyone knows this, which makes the campaign to save the Warriors with a star talent fascinating, given what they have to offer. There are a lot of moving parts still in Golden State, and that includes on the floor as well.
GO DEEPER
The Warriors’ revolving door at off-guard is about to get a Dennis Schröder boost
Tier 3: The Bubble
13. Miami Heat (13-11)
Last ranking: 11
In the last week: W vs. TOR, L at DET
Offensive rating: 113.8 (10th)
Defensive rating: 111.0 (10th)
Trade Winds: SF Jimmy Butler
Butler has a player option in 2025 worth $52.4 million. While he is picking his spots to dominate, he contributes in every facet of the game. Butler is shooting 55.2 percent from the field and rarely makes mistakes on either end. He is 35, which makes it challenging to determine Miami’s next steps.
GO DEEPER
Heat Today: The pros and cons of trading Jimmy Butler
14. LA Clippers (15-12)
Last ranking: 12
In the last week: L at DEN, W vs. UTA
Offensive rating: 110.9 (20th)
Defensive rating: 108.4 (fifth)
Trade Winds: PF P.J. Tucker
The Clippers are starting to rack up injuries while they wait for Kawhi Leonard to return to action. LA had to use temporary starter Amir Coffey to finish the Jazz on Monday night because of injuries to Derrick Jones Jr., Terance Mann and Kobe Brown. Tucker may cost the Clippers a lot on the court because he is staying away while players at his position play outsized roles, if they’re playing at all.
15. Phoenix Suns (14-11)
Last ranking: 16
In the last week: W at UTA, W vs. POR
Offensive rating: 114.6 (ninth)
Defensive rating: 114.9 (21st)
Trade Winds: SF Bradley Beal
On one hand, Beal has a no-trade clause. He will go where he wants to go. On the other hand, where there is smoke, there tends to be fire. Does Beal want to be in Phoenix? Do the Suns want him in Phoenix? Would the Heat rather have a 33-year-old Beal deciding on a player option in the 2026 offseason, or would they rather have Butler under contract at age 37 in 2026? Until the trade deadline passes with Beal and the Suns fully committing to each other, this will be an open question.
16. Atlanta Hawks (14-13)
Last ranking: 15
In the last week: W at NY, L vs. MIL
Offensive rating: 110.8 (21st)
Defensive rating: 113.4 (17th)
Trade Winds: C Clint Capela
The Hawks have so many centers that it makes no sense to think they will all be there at the end of February. Capela is in the last year of a contract that pays him $22.3 million this season, and he is down to 23 minutes per game this season, an eight-year low. Onyeka Okongwu is in the first year of a rookie-scale extension. Larry Nance Jr. is out of the rotation. Cody Zeller isn’t even with the team. Mouhamed Gueye is 6-foot-11, and Dominick Barlow is on a two-way contract. Something’s gotta give.
17. Los Angeles Lakers (14-12)
Last ranking: 17th
In the last week: L at MIN, W vs. MEM
Offensive rating: 111.7 (16th)
Defensive rating: 115.5 (24th)
Trade Winds: PG D’Angelo Russell
It’s not a Lakers season without some point guard controversy and instability. It started when this franchise drafted Russell in 2015, only to replace him two years later with Lonzo Ball. The Lakers traded Ball in a package that brought back Anthony Davis and a 2020 championship, and then resumed replacing their point guard every 15 months or so. Russell is back with the Lakers in the first place because of the fiasco that was the Russell Westbrook era. Now, Russell has been benched only months after picking up his player option, while Austin Reaves starts at point guard. Any Lakers trade likely involves finding a team to take on Russell’s expiring contract.
GO DEEPER
What I’m hearing about the Lakers’ plans this trade season
18. Sacramento Kings (13-14)
Last ranking: 18
In the last week: W at NO, L vs. DEN
Offensive rating: 116.3 (sixth)
Defensive rating: 112.9 (14th)
Trade Winds: SF Kevin Huerter
Another team that has been way too top-heavy. In the Kings’ Monday night roller-coaster home loss to the Nuggets, Huerter was out with a shoulder injury, and Julian Strawther made more field goals than the entire Sacramento bench. More than a trade, the Kings could really use the contributions of rookie lottery point guard Devin Carter, himself out to begin the season after shoulder surgery. But they may need to break up a contract for some more depth. Malik Monk is the starting shooting guard now after signing a new deal this offseason and after Mike Brown already went through Huerter and Keon Ellis. Huerter is under contract through 2026 and makes $16.8 million this season. Perhaps there is a way for Sacramento to get some more help if it shops Huerter’s deal this winter.
19. San Antonio Spurs (13-13)
Last ranking: 19
In the last week: W at POR, L vs. MIN
Offensive rating: 111.4 (17th)
Defensive rating: 113.8 (19th)
Trade Winds: C Zach Collins
Collins is in the first year of an extension signed last year that goes through 2026. The thought initially was that Collins would be the starting center while Victor Wembanyama would play power forward. That did not last at all, and now Collins is one of the highest-paid reserve centers in the league. This season, Collins is playing a career-low 14.2 minutes per game, while Charles Bassey has recovered from a torn ACL to show more upside as a finisher, rebounder and rim protector. Collins has some skill and might be able to help a team that will play him more.
Tier 4: Not the Tier to Fear
20. Indiana Pacers (12-15)
Last ranking: 22
In the last week: W at PHI, W vs. NO
Offensive rating: 112.2 (15th)
Defensive rating: 115.3 (22nd)
Trade Winds: C Myles Turner
We’re only here with Turner because the Pacers are in an interesting position over the next two months. They are under .500 but certainly are trying to get to the playoffs after trading for and paying Pascal Siakam. Obi Toppin got paid as well. Indiana already made a trade for a backup in Thomas Bryant because of the season-ending Achilles injuries to Isaiah Jackson and free agent James Wiseman. But Turner is in the last year of his deal that pays him $19.9 million, and his scoring, turnovers and offensive rebounding have all been worse this season. Turner has played through trade talk many times before, so let’s see how it plays out this winter.
Nikola Vucevic is putting up big numbers, but his game may not be a fit for many teams. (Kamil Krzaczynski / Imagn Images)
21. Chicago Bulls (12-15)
Last ranking: 24
In the last week: W vs. CHA, W at TOR
Offensive rating: 113.2 (12th)
Defensive rating: 116.2 (25th)
Trade Winds: C Nikola Vučević
Offensively, Vučević is having a tremendous season, as he has made career highs from the field (58.7 percent) and from 3 (47.5 percent). Vučević remains a strong rebounder and one of the better passing centers in the game. His age (34), poor defense and contract (2026 free agent) may keep him in Chicago past the deadline.
22. Detroit Pistons (11-16)
Last ranking: 20
In the last week: L at BOS, W vs. MIA
Offensive rating: 110.3 (23rd)
Defensive rating: 113.6 (18th)
Trade Winds: SF Tim Hardaway Jr.
Hardaway is in the final year of his contract, but he has started every game that he has played in as a league-average floor spacer in J.B. Bickerstaff’s offense. Even as an expiring deal, Hardaway may mean more to the Pistons than any other team.
23. Philadelphia 76ers (8-16)
Last ranking: 23
In the last week: L vs. IND, W at CHA
Offensive rating: 107.3 (27th)
Defensive rating: 111.9 (12th)
Trade Winds: PF K.J. Martin
Martin was re-signed to be moved at some point this season. To his credit, the intense Martin has shot the ball well this year in limited opportunities. Martin is too small to play for some teams, and opponents do not treat him like a threat offensively. But he is making the most of his minutes this season.
24. Brooklyn Nets (10-16)
Last ranking: 21
In the last week: L at MEM, L vs. CLE
Offensive rating: 112.7 (13th)
Defensive rating: 117.7 (27th)
Trade Winds: SF Cameron Johnson
There is no sense that the Nets will commit to any of their starters long term. Johnson is signed through 2027, so his next team is likely one that views Johnson as a core building block. With Schröder gone and Cam Thomas nursing an injury, Johnson is going to get any shot he wants.
25. Toronto Raptors (7-20)
Last ranking: 25
In the last week: L at MIA, L vs. CHI
Offensive rating: 110.7 (22nd)
Defensive rating: 115.3 (22nd)
Trade Winds: SG Bruce Brown
Brown hasn’t played all season after knee surgery that he has yet to come back from. Everyone will remember 2023 for how Brown contributed to the NBA champion Nuggets. Brown got his money and has struggled ever since. Toronto will hope a team can see Brown as a missing piece that can defend, be a secondary ballhandler and make enough shots to keep defenses honest.
Tier 5: Basement Floor
26. Portland Trail Blazers (8-18)
Last ranking: 26
In the last week: L vs. SA, L at PHO
Offensive rating: 107.1 (28th)
Defensive rating: 116.2 (26th)
Trade Winds: C Deandre Ayton
Ayton makes $34 million this season and won’t be a free agent until 2026, so finding a deal for him is still difficult. It is more likely that Robert Williams III, also a 2026 free agent, gets moved due to his smaller number and defensive value. Ayton is averaging a career-low 14.2 points per game and getting to the line less than ever, while still not offering enough as a passer, shooter or defender. He’s a double-double machine, but Ayton has plateaued in the present while Donovan Clingan is the future of the position in Portland.
27. Charlotte Hornets (7-19)
Last ranking: 27
In the last week: L at CHI, L vs. PHI
Offensive rating: 108.2 (26th)
Defensive rating: 114.4 (20th)
Trade Winds: PG Vasilije Micić
Micić was a part of Charles Lee’s rotation when the season began, but he was phased out after about a week because of his poor shooting. Injuries to star LaMelo Ball and now backup Tre Mann have allowed Micić to get back on the floor, but Micić is a true point guard who could benefit from having the ball in his hands more for another second unit around the league.
28. Utah Jazz (5-20)
Last ranking: 28
In the last week: L vs. PHO, L at LAC
Offensive rating: 110.0 (24th)
Defensive rating: 120.7 (30th)
Trade Winds: PF John Collins
Collins has a $26.6 million player option this summer, and he is doing as well as he can offensively to raise his value, averaging a five-year high of 18.0 points on 53.4 percent shooting from the field. The Jazz have been awful on defense, and Collins is harder to fit in defensively for teams. But the most intriguing thing for Collins is that his perimeter shooting has recovered after a nasty finger injury in 2022. He has earned rave reviews for his professionalism all season from Jazz coach Will Hardy as well.
29. New Orleans Pelicans (5-22)
Last ranking: 29
In the last week: L vs. SAC, L at IND
Offensive rating: 106.3 (29th)
Defensive rating: 117.8 (28th)
Trade Winds: SF Brandon Ingram
I shouldn’t even waste the space here. We’ve been here on Ingram since April. But at least the Pelicans were in the playoffs in April. Now, they’re in the Western Conference’s cellar by multiple games, and Ingram has a multi-week ankle injury. Before Ingram’s injury, he was stretched as the primary option on a team missing so many critical (and apparently tradable) pieces, lowlighted by his career-worst 3.8 turnovers per game and eight-year low 3.1 free-throw attempts per game. Determining Ingram’s short-term (trade) and long-term (contract) value is going to be a real chore for the league.
GO DEEPER
Dejounte Murray’s struggles are making a disastrous Pelicans season even worse
30. Washington Wizards (3-21)
Last ranking: 30
In the last week: L at CLE, L vs. BOS
Offensive rating: 103.7 (30th)
Defensive rating: 118.7 (29th)
Trade Winds: PF Kyle Kuzma
Kuzma turns 30 next summer, but he is under contract through 2027. He has missed half of the season with injuries and has spent his on-court time being one of the least efficient offensive players in the league while also being ineffective defensively. Kuzma has shown in the past that he can be a good rebounder and passer while offering size at the forward spot and being in the right spots at the right times. But his inconsistent shooting and average athleticism might have a chilling effect.
Sign up to get The Bounce, the essential NBA newsletter from Zach Harper and The Athletic staff, delivered free to your inbox.
(Top photo of Jalen Williams: Ethan Miller / Getty Images)
